Combined ironing board and stepladder



June 4, i946. V.w MAYHUGH 2,401,315

COMBINED IRONING BOARD AND STEPLADDER Filed April 3, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheetl 4 Inbenfof June 4, 1946. J. W. MAYHUGH 2,401,311

COMBINED IRONING BOARD AND STEPLADDER I FiledApril 3, 1945 Z Sheets-Shet2 m I I].

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Patented June 4, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBINED IRONING BOARDAND STEPLADDER 3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a combined ironing board and stepladder ofthat type wherein the ironing board proper serves as a support when thedevice is employed as a stepladder and wherein the stepladder serves asa support for the ironing board proper when the device is used as anironing table.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device ofthe above kind which is comparatively simple and durable inconstruction, easy to convert, and constructed to surely remain inproper condition when set up for either use.

More specific objects and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, and the invention consists in the novel form,combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described,shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicatecorresponding parts throughout.

the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed inaccordance with the present invention, set up for use as an ironingtable.

Figure 2 is an end elevation looking toward the right of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the device set upfor use as a stepladder.

Figure 4 is an elevational view looking toward the right of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device in completely collapsed condition.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the device conditioned as shown inFigure 5.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 'l.--'| of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention comprises a ladder portion A and an ironing boardportion B. The ladder portion includes substantially similar sections 5and 5a substantially centrally pivoted together, as at 6. Each laddersection includes spaced stiles l and 8, respectively, rigidly connectedby steps 9 and Ill. The steps 9 of the section 5 are disposed to formlower steps of the ladder, as is also one of the steps 10, while theremaining steps ID of the section 5a are disposed to form the uppersteps of the ladder. The stiles 8 of the section 511 are disposed at theinner sides of the stiles l of the section 5, and the sections aremovable to aligned relation, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, inclusive, withthe stiles 8 of section 5a contacting the rear faces of the steps 9 ofthe section 5. The ladder sections are also movable to crossed relation,as shown in Figures 1 and 2, with the stiles 8 of section 5a contactingan edge of a step 9 of the section 5.

The ironing board portion B comprises a board ll having a transversehead block I2 secured on the under side thereof near one end of thesame. Corresponding ends of the stiles l of the section 5 are pivoted tothe ends of the head block H, as at I3. Also, corresponding ends of thesection 5a are beveled and disposed to engage the head block l2, asshown in Figure 8, to limit increase in angular relation between theladder and the ironing board portions when the ladder sections arealigned and the device is set up foruse asa ladder. A transverse'cleatI4 is secured on the under side of the board H near the other end of thelatter, and this cleat has notches l5 in the ends thereof. Correspondingends of the section 511 are engageable in the notches I5 and behind theends of the cleat M to secure the ladder sections in crossed relationand to support the adjacent end of the board II when the device is setupfor use as an ironing board.- Increase in angular relation between thesection 5 and the board II, when the sections 5 and 5a are in crossedrelation and the device is set up for use as an ironing board, isprevented by engagement of the pivoted ends of the stiles l with theunder side of th board II, as at l6, these ends of stiles 1 beingproperly beveled for the purpose.

As shown in Figure 8, the head block I2 has an inclined inner face, andcorresponding ends of the stiles 8 are beveled at I! to engage thisinclined face of block l2 so as to prevent increase in angular relationbetween the ladder and the ironing board when the device is set up foruse as a ladder. The arrangement is such, however, that when the deviceis completely collapsed, the ends of stiles 8 move away from the beveledface of block i2 and permit the section 5a to be swung so that thebeveled ends l'l move outwardly past the block 12 and permit dispositionof the parts for use as an ironing board, as shown in Figure 1. Also,the arrangement issuch that the section 5 is sprung slightly to snap theends of stiles 8 behind the cleat [4. In this way, the device issecurely retained in any condition which it is set up for use. Nocollapsible brace is needed between the ladder and ironing boardportions, and no movable locking devices are needed between the stiles 8and the board II, when the device is conditioned respectively for use asa ladder and for use as an ironing board.

Secured on the outer face of the head block I2 is a relatively widerboard I8 which serves as a top step or shelf for the device when set upfor use as a ladder.

In conditioning the device for use as a ladder, assuming that it isalready conditioned for use a an ironing board, as shown in Figure 1, itis simply necessary to spring the section 5 slightly away from the boardII and disengage the ends of the stiles 8 of section Set from behind theends of cleat I4. Section 5a is thenswungabout the pivots 6 in thedirection of the arrows a in Figure 1 and until the ladder sections arenearly aligned. The section 5 is then swung toward and. against theboard I I, whereupon the section 511 is moved further until it isaligned with the section 5. The aligned sections 5 and 5a are then swungaway from the board I l to the angular position of Figures'3 and 8.Assuming that the device is set up for use as a ladder, it may bechanged for use as an ironing table by swinging the ladder sectionagainst th board II and then swinging section 541 into angular relationto the section 5 while simultaneously swinging section '5 away from theboard I I. When the stiles 8 engage an edge of a step 9, the laddersections are in proper crossed relation and it is simply necessary tospring the section 5 slightly away from the board I I so as to' snap theends of the stiles't behind the ends of cleat :I4. I

From the foregoing description, it is believed that .the constructionandmanner of use, as well as the advantages of the present invention, willbe readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in ,the art.Minor changes in details of construction illustrated and described maybe made, such as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed.

What I claim is:

-l. A combined ironing table and stepladder comprising a ladder portionand an ironing .board portion, said ladder portion comprisingsubstantially similar sections substantially centrally pivotallyconnected together, each section including spaced stiles rigidlyconnected by steps, the stiles of one section being disposed at the i11-ner sides of the stilesof the other section, the section being movableto aligned relation with the stiles of said one section contacting facesof the steps of the other section or to crossed relation with the stilesof said one section contacting an edge of a step of the. other section,said ironing board portion comprising a board having a transverse headblock secured on the under side thereof near one end of the same,corresponding ends of the stiles of said other ladder section beingpivoted to the ends of said head block, corresponding ends of the oneladder section being shaped and disposed to engage the head block andlimit increase in angular relation between the ladder and ironing boardportions when the ladder sections are aligned and the device is set upfor use as a ladder, and means to prevent swinging of the laddersections to aligned relation from crossed relation when the device isset up for use as an ironing board.

1 2. The construction defined in claim 1, wherein a transverse cleat issecured on the under side of the board near the other end of the latterand has notches in :the ends thereof, and wherein corresponding ends ofsaid one ladder section are engageable in said notches to secure theladder sections in crossed relation when the device is set up for use asan ironing board.

3. A combined ironing table and stepladder comprising a ladder portionand an ironing'board portion, said ladder portion comprisingsubstantially similar sections substantially centrally pivotallyconnected together, each section including spaced stiles rigidlyconnected by steps, :the stiles of one section being disposed at theinnersides of the stiles of the other section, the sections beingmovable to aligned relation with the stiles of said one sectioncontacting faces of the steps of the other section or to crossedrelation with the stiles of said one section contacting an edge of astep of the other section, said ironing board portion comprising aboardhaving a transverse head block secured on the under side thereof nearone end of the same, corresponding ends of the stiles of said otherladder sectionbeing pivoted to the ends of said head block and beveledto contact the ironing board portion and limit increase in angularrelation between the other ladder section and the ironing board portionwhen theladder sections are disposed in crossed relation and the deviceis set up for use as an ironing board,

-a transversecleat-secured-on-the under side of'the board near the otherended the latter-and having notches in the ends thereof,correspondingends of said one ladder section being forcibly engageablebehind the cleat within said notches to secure 'the ladder sections incrossed relation after the stiles of said one section'contact the edgeof the step of the other section-when the device is set up for use as anironing'board. I

JOEL VI. MAY-HUGH.

